Since we’ve decided not to stay at Cape Otway, we had to continue driving to reach the next nearest town, which was Port Campbell. At this point of time, it was already getting dark, past 5.30pm. And the route from Cape Otway to Port Campbell was another 90km, with a large part of it through the rain forest! Just refer to the map below, driving through the dark rain forest with trees looming above you and a winding road was NOT funny. Plus, it appeared that there were no other cars passing by, and with no street lights (only reflectors which worked well actually), I was driving nervously.
From Cape Otway to Port Campbell (~90km)
What else could be worse?
1. We had no hotel reservation for Port Campbell, since we initially booked to stay at the Caravan in Cape Otway.
2. The petrol in the car was running really low.
3. I wanted to pee badly!
4. There was no phone line coverage (Vodafone)
As I was driving in anxiety along the winding roads, Saucer kept calming me down and even offered to switch places since he thought that I wouldn’t be rational driving under the stress of wanting to pee. But I didn’t feel comfortable with the idea of stopping the car in the middle of no where and in a pitch black road! So I persevered, while Saucer tried to contact our friend in Melbourne, Kendal. Fortunately, we had 2 sim cards, one with Vodafone (for phone coverage) and one with Telstra (for data network) and Telstra’s reception was pretty strong! So Saucer communicated with Kendal using MSN through the data network and within minutes, Kendal had managed to book a room for us at the Best Western Motor Inn in Port Campbell! Yay! I felt so much relieved after that, and about an hour later, we saw the quaint town of Port Campbell and immediately pulled over at the gas station.
Our room at Best Western Great Ocean Road Motor Inn (picture taken in the morning)
After filling up the car and relieving myself 
we were on our way to the Inn, which was just down the road. Checking in was a breeze with the kind and warm lady Stephanie. We told her we were freezing cold and she actually went to our room to start the heater while we parked our car and unloaded our luggage. How sweet!
Double bed in Best Western Inn
Words could not express how very relieved and happy we were when we saw the room. Yes, it was nothing grand but it was all that we needed that night! A comfortable bed, a warm heater, hairdryer, hot shower, mini fridge (to store our beers), microwave (to cook instant noodles), water kettle, flat screen TV and a dining table. Thank God! It was already past 7pm by then and outside was freezing cold. We quickly changed, took a hot shower, and made some steaming hot instant noodles that we brought for the trip. Then we kicked back and laid on the bed while watching TV. It was just perfect! 
Everything that we needed
Shower and toilet
While resting on the bed, I couldn’t help but feel grateful and proud of myself for making through the winding and dark road just before that. It was an experience that I’d remember for a long long time. Don’t get me wrong, the roads were not dangerous, it’s just a little scary for me since it was dark and trees were all around – left, right and above us. My advice? Try not to drive along the Great Ocean Road at night.
Outside our room
The next morning, we planned on where to visit. In a way, I was really glad that we drove past Cape Otway to Port Campbell. If we had followed our original plan of staying in Cape Otway, we would have gone back to Melbourne the next day without completing the whole stretch of Great Ocean Road. But since we were already in Port Campbell now, we might as well just went all the way to complete it. And we did!
Surroundings of Best Western Great Ocean Road Motor Inn
White daisies
From Port Campbell, our plan was to visit the Port Campbell National Park which was about 10km away, where some of the great attractions of Great Ocean Road were at. The pinnacle of it was the Twelve Apostles, of course!
Car park area
Once again, I must say that I really thanked God for Best Western Inn to provide us shelter when we thought we had no where else to go that night. If I’m not mistaken, the room rate was circa AUD85, which was value for money, in my humble opinion.
Our room key
Best Western Great Ocean Road Motor Inn, Port Campbell, Victoria
If you’re planning to drive along Great Ocean Road like us, I would highly recommend staying at this place for the night. It is at the perfect location, just minutes away from the Port Campbell National Park (12 apostles) and furthermore, you’ll reach here around the evening if you start from Melbourne in the morning. Just the right timing and the right place, don’t you think?
On to Port Campbell National Park
Best Western Great Ocean Road Motor Inn
10 Great Ocean Road
Port Campbell VIC 3269
Australia
Phone: +61 (0)3 5598 6522
Website: http://www.greatoceanroadmotorinn.com/
November 1st, 2010 4:47 PM
November 2nd, 2010 9:38 PM
November 11th, 2010 3:08 PM
